She has recently launched the Malala Fund, with the support of Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie, who pledged $200,000 to the charity. The first grant of $45,000 was given to an unnamed organisation in the Swat valley to support the education of 40 girls aged between five to 12 who would otherwise be forced into domestic labour. “Let us turn the education of 40 girls into 40 million girls,” she said.

I Am Malala, the story of her extraordinary life in her own words, will be published this autumn.”

Malala Yousafzai

Yousafzai wins the award along with these British candidates:

Unseen Tours, which employs homeless tour guides to give an alternative tour of London

Comedian and Actor Lenny Hendry, who has raised over 800 milliion pounds to fight Ethiopian famine

Teenagers from Queen Elizabeth High School on the Isle of Man, who grow their own clothes

Francis McCrickard, whose wildflower gardens and trainings to reclaim land has quietly spread across the world through his organizations, Tools for Self Reliance

Yousafzai will speak at the UN on July 12, 2013 — Malala Day, and her 16th birthday.

According to the Malala Fund Website (part of Vital Voices), the first grant will be implemented with clear goals and programs. “Working with the families, the organization will enroll the girls in school, offer a safe space for convening and provide them with resources and support to adapt to an educational environment, such as school uniforms, shoes and learning materials. Each family will receive a monthly stipend, and the organization and the school will continue to work with the families and the community to highlight the importance of girls’ education. After a needs assessment and final program design, the project will be launched and running in spring 2013.”

By refusing to be silenced, Yousafzai is opening up new opportunities for girls and women everywhere. This is authentic, on-point leadership at its best, sending a clear message to those who refuse to acknowledge the importance of education for girls: You canʻt keep a (young) woman down!